I'm thinking of getting a GPS for my motorbike. I've read about the Garmin units and you get what you pay for. I need to justify $600+ for a decent unit. But I'm really just looking for something that is waterproof, has a good way to mount to the bike and a lot of onboard maps of North America, I don’t need maps of Europe, Australia, Antarctica, cameras or MP3 players, ect. Just really up to date and accurate American road maps already installed. Garmin has something called Life Time maps, looks like it gets updated up to 4 times a year?

I've looked into RAM mounting hardware, particularly the X Mount for possibly using my cell phone as a GPS. The problem with the cell phone as a navigator is it needs a cell signal for Google Maps to work properly. I know this from riding the PDR last summer in Vermont where there was zero signal in some places, coincidentally right when I needed it the most. I've experimented with an extra cell phone to see if the GPS would work without a data plan, and it does, using an App called My Tracks but not nearly as detailed as one with data or Wifi signals.

I think I read on this site that said, any devoted GPS unit, even a cheaper unit is way better for navigation than a cell phone. I'm just looking for waterproof, lots of American road maps, and a fairly normal way of mounting it to the bike. Does anyone have any recommendations???

Having had the Montana for a month, and finally having read the manual - its exactly what i needed. Powerful and versatile, its good on the bike and off it, allowing me to follow tracks, set up routes, and navigate via roads, or trails.

Wish it were $300 and not $600, but there you go.

__________________WineAndWater. West around the world, New York to London, then Africa. Raising money for Wine to Water, supporting clean water projects in 15 countries.

Glad it's working out and it sounds like you are doing the right thing in testing and practicing with you new GPS ..... before you need it!
Even with a simpler unit after many years I still find it helpful to let some else drive the cage while I get reacquainted with it's operation.
The next step down IMO would have been the 78 for $200 to which you need to add maps, power cable & mount system, but the screen is like 1/2 the size.